Bushman's Revenge

This is the third album by Norway's Bushman's Revenge (Even Helte Hermansen, Gard Nilssen, Rune Nergaard). Like great records from Elephant9, Scorch Trio, Supersilent, In The Country, Spunk, Fire! and others, Jitterbug was recorded in the old fashioned way, meaning the musicians played together and interacted live in the studio with few or no overdubs. With classic recording studios closing down all over the world, this way of recording could indeed soon be a thing of the past, and the world of music would be a poorer place for it. As with players such as John Coltrane, Albert Ayler and John McLaughlin, there's a fine line between chaos and spiritual ecstasy, one that Bushman's Revenge tread with great success; however, there's still an untamed, raw and punky energy at play. But since the release of You Lost Me At Hello (RCD 2083CD/RLP 3083LP), they have matured as individual musicians and as a collective, coming across more focused, with plenty of great interplay and instrumental skills. There's even room for a couple of beautifully reflective ballads, showing a sensitive side to this otherwise hard-hitting, energetic trio. While their previous album was somewhat lazily described as a mix of Black Sabbath and Albert Ayler, the band is more inclined to agree with the Jazzwise review who likened them to Jeff Beck being backed by Elvin Jones. Jimi Hendrix and Mitch Mitchell also springs to mind, same with Red-period King Crimson. Bushman's Revenge was founded by Even and Gard back in 2003 in their hometown of Skien, a couple of hours south of Oslo, while Rune joined from the northern town of Bodø. Even is also a member of Shining and grew up with groups and musicians like Kiss, Pantera, Sepultura, Faith No More, Frank Zappa and John Coltrane, while Gard and Rune met at the Jazz Academy in Trondheim, breeding ground for musicians like Arve Henriksen, Ståle Storløkken, Nils Petter Molvær and many more. Gard also plays with pop sensation Susanne Sundfør and in Puma with Øystein Moen (Jaga Jazzist) and young guitar experimentalist Stian Westerhus. Most of the track titles are references to popular culture, some more obvious than others, and there's a furious instrumental version of Motörhead's "Damage Case." Even Helte Hermansen: guitar; Rune Nergaard: bass; Gard Nilssen: drums; Ståle Storløkken: Hammond organ on track 2 and 3.